Analytical Strategies For Cultural Heritage Materials And Their Degradation

Reviewing the analytical strategies used in the study of cultural heritage assets, this book pays particular attention to analytical methodology and ensuring reliable results are obtained for those working in conservation practice.

This reprint provides the most recent advancements and trends in the analysis of cultural heritage samples, including archaeological and bio-archaeological samples, confirming the growing public and academic interest in this field. The submitted papers cover different aspects of cultural and archaeological heritage protection, conservation, and restoration. The complexity of such samples, including archaeological samples, generally requires a multi-analytical approach. The integrated use of different analytical techniques, with the preference for noninvasive or micro-invasive ones, allows an in-depth understanding of the original materials and their degradation processes and helps obtain innovative solutions for the restoration and conservation of artworks.

Besides their notable historical and cultural significance, heritage buildings crucially contribute to the economy of those countries that rely heavily on the tourism industry. Investigation and monitoring of the origins of deterioration and damage are therefore key to the preservation of architectural heritage. Diagnosis of Heritage Buildings by Non-Destructive Techniques offers an up-to-date overview of state-of-the-art knowledge by collating specialized studies written by an international group of experts in the field, while also examining the value of these non-intrusive methods through a number of real-life case studies which prove NDT techniques’ global relevance. The volume is an invaluable reference resource for students, researchers, and practitioners alike. Helps readers to easily identify the latest advances in non-destructive testing by subdividing the content into sections specific to each assessment approach Explores the integration of different NDT methodologies, facilitating the interoperability of traditional and advanced technologies Presents case studies based on real built heritage to show how to correctly implement the measurement techniques described, and to interpret the results

This book addresses the application of Raman spectroscopic techniques to a range of diverse problems which arise in the study, conservation and restoration of artefacts and sites closely related to our cultural heritage as well as in authentication. These themes are naturally wider than what at first might be considered as artworks and archaeological artefacts and the topics include pigments, paintings, ceramics, glass, sculpture and patination / corrosion, textiles, industrial archaeology, the degradation and preservation of biomaterials, mummies and human skeletal remains. An interesting feature is the inclusion of modern case studies which describe specific problems and approaches to the Raman spectral analysis of items important to our cultural heritage. The text is prefaced with an introduction to the important parameters used in nondestructive Raman measurements and also highlights some future applications based upon novel miniaturised instrumentation for in-field studies and potential screening work which will identify specimens which would repay further studies in the laboratory. An attempt is made to give a snapshot of the state-of-the-art evolution since the beginning of the technique (1970s) and to point out potential further development. The book is co-edited by three international experts with many years' experience in the application of Raman spectroscopy to artworks, archaeological artefacts and in the investigation of materials and sites for cultural heritage preservation and each editor has undertaken to write individual chapters and different topics personally. The adopted approach is designed to convey the sort of information which has become available from the adoption of analytical Raman spectroscopy to different problems in the field of cultural heritage preservation through the spectral interrogation of artefacts and how the interpretation of the spectral data can assist museum curators, archaeologists and cultural heritage historians in the preservation and conservation of ancient materials and sites : a particular advantage in this respect is the ability of Raman spectroscopy to determine –generally in a strictly noninvasive procedure - at the laboratory or on-site with mobile instruments, the presence of both organic and inorganic components in a particular specimen together nondestructively without any chemical and mechanical pretreatment being undertaken, which is an essential requirement for rare and valuable samples . An important aside from this work is the means of spectral identification of ongoing biodeterioration and biological colonisation in specimens in storage and the effects of environmental deterioration such as humidity and temperature upon their integrity.

Chemical Analysis provides non invasive and micro-analytical techniques for the investigation of cultural heritage materials. The tools and techniques, discussed by experts in the field, are of universal, sensitive and multi-component nature.

This book introduces the various types of quantum dots to the reader and provides enough information in the text and the references to encourage a new quantum dot user to get started.

Describing the importance of surfactants in electrochemical investigations related to biologically and environmentally vital chemicals, this book charts the progression of highly responsive electrochemical sensors using surfactants as a modifying agent in the sensor field. It provides contributed chapters from respected researchers on information concerning the activity of target molecules and electron transfer kinetics arising at the surface of the fabricated sensor materials. Surfactant-based electrochemical sensors are of great interest in the quest to find low-cost, fast and highly responsive sensing devices and one aim of this book is to help improve the competence and knowledge in this newly emerging interdisciplinary research area. Attracting an audience of students, academics, industrialists and engineers, it will interest researchers seeking to use non-toxic sensors in their detection challenges.

Solving Problems with Microscopy Comprehensive resource, based on real case examples, on the ability of the microscope for solving problems This book takes a “why to” rather than the common “how to” approach to demonstrate the capabilities of microscopy to solve problems. It provides entertaining and informative case examples and lessons regarding the unique value the microscope brings to problem solving by experienced scientists in various industries, including criminal and civil forensic science, manufacturing, environmental science, pharmaceutical science, cultural heritage, and biological sciences. Sample topics covered in this learning resource include: History of problem solving with microscopy Fortune favors the prepared mind The value of multiple associations The importance of context Knowing your limitations (i.e. knowing what you don’t know) Microscopists and other professional scientists who use microscopy can harness the information in this book to make better and more informed decisions by improving their problem-solving strategies and processes.